'Beauty & the Beast's Dan Stevens to Star in FX Pilot LEGION

Dan Stevens, Aubrey Plaza and Jean Smart have joined the cast of the FX Networks' pilot Legion. Stevens (The Guest), Plaza (Parks and Recreation) and Smart (Fargo) join Rachel Keller (Fargo) in a previously announced role in the pilot, which will begin production in March.

· DAVID (Dan Stevens) - Diagnosed as schizophrenic at a young age, David is a haunted man, trying to find his way back to sanity, but he's getting tired and is about to give up when he meets the girl of his dreams.

· LENNY (Aubrey Plaza) - David's friend, who despite a life of drugs and alcohol abuse, knows that any day now her life is gonna turn around, which gives Lenny the likeable energy of the impossible optimist despite her rough demeanor.

· MELANIE (Jean Smart) - A nurturing, demanding therapist with a sharp mind and unconventional methods.

· SYD (Rachel Keller) - Self-sufficient and street smart, Syd uses her sharp and prickly demeanor to protect her soft core, because even though it makes her a sucker and puts her at risk, she still believes in happily ever after.

Noah Hawley (Fargo) wrote the pilot and will serve as an Executive Producer along with Lauren Shuler Donner (X-Men: Days of Future Past, The Wolverine), Bryan Singer (X-Men: Days of Future Past, Superman Returns), Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Days of Future Past, The Martian), Jeph Loeb (Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Marvel's Daredevil, Marvel's Jessica Jones), Jim Chory (Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Marvel's Daredevil, Marvel's Jessica Jones) and John Cameron (Fargo, The Big Lebowski). Legion is the latest project from Hawley and Cameron, two of the Executive Producers of the Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R) -winning FX limited series Fargo. The pilot Legion will be produced by FX Productions and Marvel Television, with FXP handling the physical production.

Dan Stevens will next be seen as the "Beast" in the Disney live action Beauty and the Beast opposite Emma Watson, and is currently filming Permission with Rebecca Hall. Previously, Stevens starred in the cult hit The Guest. He made his Broadway debut in THE HEIRESS. The actor is represented by WME, Julian Belfrage Associates and Peikoff/Mahan.

Aubrey Plaza will next be seen in Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates. Her other film credits include the critically acclaimed feature Safety Not Guaranteed, Ned Rifle, The To Do List, A Driftless Area, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, and Funny People, among many others. On television, Plaza starred as "April Ludgate" in the Emmy nominated comedy series Parks and Recreation. Plaza is represented by CAA, MGMT Entertainment and Ira Schreck.

Jean Smart most recently starred as "Floyd Gerhardt" in the second installment of the award-winning and acclaimed FX limited series Fargo, for which she won a Critics' Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series. She will next star alongside Ben Affleck in director Gavin O'Connor's The Accountant, which will be released in 2016. She has won three Emmy Awards and received four additional nominations for her work on Harry's Law, Frasier, The District, 24 and Samantha Who. She has also garnered an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her critically acclaimed performance in the feature film Guinevere, and was nominated for a Tony Award(R) for her starring role on Broadway opposite Nathan Lane in The Man Who Came to Dinner. Smart is represented by WME and Untitled Entertainment.

Rachel Keller just had a breakout role playing "Simone" on Fargo for FX. During her final year at Carnegie Mellon University, Keller starred in the Zachary Quinto produced Hollidaysburg as part of Starz "The Chair" series. She is represented by WME and Suskin Management.

ABOUT FX NETWORKS

FX Networks, a business unit of 21st Century Fox, is comprised of the networks FX, FXX and FXM and the video on-demand app FXNOW. FX, the flagship general entertainment basic cable channel, launched in June of 1994 and is carried in 93 million homes. The diverse schedule features a growing roster of critically-acclaimed and award-winning hit dramas series, including The Americans, The Strain, Tyrant and the upcoming Taboo; the critically-acclaimed limited series American Horror Story, Fargo and The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story; acclaimed hit comedy series including the award-winning Louie, Archer, Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll, Baskets and the upcoming Better Things and Atlanta. FX's roster of acquired hit series includes Two and a Half Men, How I Met Your Mother and Mike & Molly. FXX, the newest network, launched in September 2013 and is carried in more than 79 million homes. Geared towards a young adult audience, the schedule features original series, movies, and acquired series. The channel is anchored by the acclaimed hit comedies It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, You're the Worst, Man Seeking Woman and the upcoming The Untitled Tracy Morgan Project (TBD). FXX is also the exclusive cable home to The Simpsons, the longest-running comedy in TV history, the late night animated block Animation Domination, and acquired hit series such as In Living Color, Mad About You and Parks and Recreation. FXM (formerly Fox Movie Channel) was launched in October of 1994 and is now carried in more than 54 million homes. Its schedule features classic films during the day (FXM Retro), and contemporary box office hits and acclaimed, award-winning films in the evening, as well as short-form award-winning original programming.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

To post a comment, you must register and login.